An Anthology of Original Fantasy and Science Fiction Book

(DISCLAIMER): I know that in the past I have fervently asserted my hatred of short stories . . . I'm sorry! I usually do REALLY dislike short stories, but this time is different - they are "Fantasy" short stories - delicious!
(5 stars) "Cotillion" by Delia Sherman: I really liked this one. It was a retelling of the story of Tam Lin. Celia is attending her debutante ball, in 1969, when she meets an intriguing young man by the name of Valentine. But he is much more than he appears. And Celia might just be the only person who can save him.
(4 stars) "The Baby in the Night Deposit Box" by Megan Whalen Turner: Interesting thought (if a bit unbelievable). Penny (Precious Treasure) was dropped in the Night Deposit box as an infant and is raised by the staff . . . but the secret of her birth is revealed in spectacular fashion at the end of the story.
(5 stars) "Beauty" by Sherwood Smith: Is beauty only skin deep? Or is the loveliness of the soul the real treasure? Sherwood Smith explores this as she once again captures the attention of the audience who adored Crown Duel. Elestra is not beautiful, but - being the daughter of Shevraeth and Meliara - she is awesome! Pit her against the devilishly handsome Flauvic and we have a philosophical lesson in the making (with a bit of fiery bantering thrown in for good measure of course!)
(3 stars) "Mariposa" by Nancy Springer: Very, very, very interesting. This is the story of a business woman who realizes her soul is missing. A play on modern society where it really does seem as if the majority of girls lose "themselves" in their haste to conform to the norm . . . strange theory . . .
(2 stars) "Max Mondrosch" by Lloyd Alexander: I really thought that this would be a better story - it is Lloyd Alexander after all . . . but sadly I was not impressed. I would have much preferred a Prydain Chronicle short story. This was just a little creepy - a man cannot find a job no matter how hard he looks and at the end of the story he is beginning to cease to exist . . . CHILLS!
(4 stars) "The Fall of Ys" by Meredith Ann Pierce: LOVED IT!! You go girl . . . that was one hell of a bad father (pardon my language). I cannot believe he "loved his daughter so much he could not be separated from her" and then he just left her to die! He deserves every bit of what the White Priestess did to him! The Princess Rocks!
(3 stars) "Medusa" by Michael Cadnum: Finally someone looks at things from Medusa's perspective - Arachne, get in line, everyone is dissing Athena! Medusa probably should not have slept with Poseidon - especially if she knew that he was engaged to Athena, and DEFINITELY not in Athena's temple, but come on she is the human here, the responsibility for the evil lies squarely on Poseidon's shoulders (not that Athena would EVER blame him!) Really I hate it when the (fairly blameless) girl is blamed! Go Michael Cadnum!!
(skipped) "The Black Fox" by Emma Bull (adaptation) and Charles Vess (illustration): Ok confession time . . . I did not read this one. I respect the opinion of everyone who enjoys comics, but it is just not my thing. I have never figured out the way to read them where the story flows for me . . . skipped.
(5 stars) "Byndley" by Patricia A. McKillip: Ms. McKillip . . . you are amazing! You have managed to stuff the entire plot of multiple novels into one charming (SHORT) story! I loved it. Man the Fairy Queen is just terrible . . . any unsuspecting young man who sees her should turn tail and run the other way! I'm serious, she'll only give you heartache.
(skipped) "The Lady of the Ice Garden" by Kara Dalkey: Ok what can I say . . . I don't like the fairy tale of the Snow Queen . . . sorry Ms. Dalkey! Skipped.
(5 stars) "Hope Chest" by Garth Nix: Awesomeness dude! Seriously more power to Annie Oakley! This was awesome. . .imagine Josey Wales, Resident Evil and Ann of Green Gables combined and you have Hope Chest - how do you people come up with this stuff?
(4 stars) "Chasing the Wind" by Elizabeth E. Wein: Not so much fantasy as a cute story about "Aeroplanes". And now I want to write about Mount Kilimanjaro - seriously, how cool of a name is that?
(3 stars) "Little Dot" by Diana Wynne Jones: I don't really like cats . . . so . . . interesting . . .
(3 stars) "Remember Me" by Nancy Farmer: Story about a Changeling. I found the mother and daughter to be extremely mean-spirited. . . the dad had promise. Over all didn't really like it . . . Sorry Ms. Farmer! I like your books!
(5 stars) "Flotsam" by Nina Kiriki Hoffman: Besides Beauty this just might be my favorite story in this book. Poppy was brilliant, as was Becky's whole family! LOVED it!! I hope that Ms. Hoffman will write some more stories about Poppy's adventures in the future.
(3 stars) "The Flying Woman" by Laurel Winter: Seriously I didn't really get the point. It was sad, and I felt sorry for the sister who didn't really seem to understand that her brother was in love with the Flying Woman until the very end . . . not that great, but not bad either.

Over all a delightful book with stories just long enough to please and just short enough to swallow in one sitting!